I’ve been back from D.C. for awhile, but it’s taken me a bit to sit down and wrap my head around all the fantastic-ness that happened at the AMCLI retreat.

There were a lot of big names, and a lot of big ideas. Two of the speakers that really piqued my interest were John Esposito and Dr. Ingrid Mattson.

Professor John Esposito, whose new book The Future of Islam has just been released, discussed his book and touched on themes that play a large role in the Muslim communities, such as the importance of tradition and how it can lead to the deifying of tradition (the idea that tradition is as sacred as the text itself).

Dr. Ingrid Mattson, the head of the Islamic Society of North America, also discussed the importance of interfaith work and having Muslim communities engage with the larger communities that they live in.

Another big event was the constant snowfall on the Saturday before we left. I hadn’t seen snow so deep and crisp since I left Utah, so I enjoyed the pristine flakes even as I worried that my flight the next afternoon may be canceled.

All in all, another wonderful retreat weekend with wonderful people. Our final retreat is in Los Angeles, and I’m looking forward to (hopefully) warmer surroundings!